The effects of defoliation in ungrazed, recently grazed, and long-term grazed high elevation grasslands were determined in this study. A single early season defoliation enhanced above-ground production, however, the increased production was composed mainly of squirreltail (Elymus elymoides). A history of defoliation, for one or several growing seasons before clipping, reduced the compensatory response in above-ground production but plant production was still greater in these plots than in undefoliated plots. These results indicate that grazing can enhance plant production in this high elevation grassland but that grazing history can impact the magnitude of the plant community's response and therefore the authors suggest that more research is required to determine how these grasslands will respond to repeated defoliation within and among years before grazing recommendations can be made.
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